On a crisp morning under a bridge in Kitchener, drones hum quietly overhead, capturing thousands of images of concrete and steel.
On the surface, it looks like cutting-edge technology in the sky. But for Albert Mansour, CEO and co-founder of ConeLabs, it’s an opportunity to turn this technology into impact.
Less than a year after pitching at the Communitech Fast Track Cities showcase, ConeLabs has become an approved vendor for the City of Kitchener.
For Mansour and his team, it’s a victory not just for the company, but for Waterloo Region’s tech ecosystem.
Becoming an approved vendor means ConeLabs can more easily collaborate with the City for future projects, without additional administrative approvals.
Momentum from the ecosystem
“Being here in Waterloo Region is more than just an address,” says Mansour. “Programs like Fast Track Cities and Pitch Kitchener supercharge startups by providing direct access to decision-makers. It’s one thing to have great technology; it’s another to put it into practice in the community you serve.”
That ecosystem-driven support has already helped ConeLabs expand beyond Kitchener, exploring projects with municipalities across multiple provinces, all while continuing to refine its AI-powered inspection platform.
From images to insight
During the city pilot, drones captured thousands of detailed images of bridges and roadways in Kitchener. These images were processed into high-resolution 3D models, allowing the company’s AI to detect structural defects, from small cracks and spalls to rust and other deterioration.
Even minor issues that don’t require immediate action are tracked, giving municipal teams a complete picture of infrastructure health.
Belmont Bridge in Waterloo, ConeLabs AI technology and 3D modelling defect detection.
By combining drones, AI and 3D modelling, ConeLabs provides inspectors with richer, faster and safer data than traditional methods alone. The system allows municipalities to act proactively, preventing costly repairs and ensuring that critical infrastructure remains safe and functional.
While bridges are the current focus, the technology can also be applied to buildings, power lines, runways, silos and railways.
A local win with broader impact
For Mansour, the pilot is a proof point for the power of collaboration; an example of how local startups, municipal leaders and the Waterloo Region ecosystem can come together to take on real-world challenges.
“Technology can help cities work smarter and more proactively,” Mansour says. “We want to continue building solutions that make infrastructure safer, more efficient and easier to manage.”
From the first pitch at a regional showcase to standing under a bridge with drones mapping every crack, ConeLabs’ journey highlights what’s possible when local innovation meets opportunity.
For Mansour and his team, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter, one that showcases how startups and cities can collaborate to strengthen communities, protect infrastructure and fuel regional growth.
Want to turn your pilot into a partnership? Connect with the team at Communitech to see how we help match startups with opportunities.
